by Gigi Birtie
“I'm sorry about how things went down with Dane and Moxie, if I would have known I would have said something, I swear. The more we talk the worse I feel.” She confesses.
“Don't, it's not an apology you need to make.” I say hoping to nip that right away. I know we can't control what our friends do. “I would just appreciate if you didn't bring either of those two to my house. I might be ok with what happened, but I'm not okay with them just hanging out at my house.”
I see Asher looking at me as Reese talks football, his eyes look hard which makes me wonder what did I say that was wrong. Maybe he thought I was being rude.
“Oh my god I would never,” Lux stresses.
“Thanks,” is all I say, and I grab her hand while giving her a lighthearted grin.
We arrived outside the airplane hangars over on an abandoned navy base in Alameda. I show Ash where to park which is by the windows that aren't latched down and the easiest to crawl in however the door should be open.
Reese is the first one through the big window. We hear him land on his feet and call out to Lux.
“Okay doll, Asher will help you up; and I'll catch you on this side.”
Lux is all smiles as Asher picks her up by her waist having her feet go in first, so she can sit on the window ledge. We then see her hop down to what I assume is Reese's open arms.
I laugh as that was all unnecessary there was a milk crate right next to the window. I bypass the help and point out the crate.
“You so over played that Asher.” I jab at his chivalry. He just laughs and pulls his shoulders up with a smirk.
“You don't want any help going in?”
I shake my head no as he pulls himself up to the window ledge. Leaving him there sitting I walk to the door and open it and walk right in. As I walk to the inside Asher is still sitting there while Reese and Lux just stare at him
“Where's Sloane?” Lux asks.
“I'm right here.” I say with a smirk on my face, before I start to laugh but my laughter catches in my throat as I notice all the beautiful colors and drawings from floor to ceiling in this expansive airplane hangar. It takes my breath away as I take it in.
“You could have told us the door was open.” Reese huffs.
“You all were so eager, I didn't get a chance to.” I smile with a laugh.
Turning away from their smirking faces, I pull the lens cap off and turn on my camera. I'm inspired right away, so I start taking pictures. I walk away from everyone, getting into my zone as I twist and crouch my body to get angles most people don't think of. I learned from a dear friend earlier on not to care what I look like when I'm going in for the snap. I am an artist. I do what I need to feel my subjects. After I grab what I'm wanting I turn around and see Asher watching me as Reese and Lux walk through as if they're at a museum, whispering and pointing out specific details. It's Asher who draws my attention the most and I can't help myself but take a picture of him. He's standing in the middle of the hanger surrounded by grit and grime, bold and vibrant colors. His eyes followed my every move and the closer I got to him the darker his eyes became. Lust crackles between us as I step toe to toe invading his space.
“Amazing right.” I ask.
He doesn't take his eyes off me.
“Beyond amazing Sloane.” He reaches for my cheek and glides his warm fingers across my skin and down to my neck, pulling me closer to him as he leans down to kiss my lips. His lips are warm yet soft against mine. Pulling back, Asher steps away from me and turns to continue to look at everyone's work; as I just stand there confused in what just happened, while my body heats and is eager for more. A deep shiver runs through my whole body and I shake off what Asher just did and continue my assault on this space of gritty urban art. I normally don't enjoy taking pictures of people, the idea of evoking emotions to get an interesting shot seems impossible to me but for some reason Asher has been catching my eye since we came in here.
Turning away from him, I see Reese and Lux sharing a kiss in front of a giant yet intricate mural, Lux’s wavy blonde hair was hanging down her back as Reese has her leaning over as he moves his lips against hers. I captured a few pictures of them and sigh. I can tell Lux really means something to Reese but they all do for the first couple of months, until he meets someone new. To be fair he is honest about it. Yet the girls always still hang around. Just shows honesty will get you somewhere. At least in like not love.
There seems to be no squatters in here but that's on this floor there are landings higher up that you can't tell if anyone is camping up there or not. I decided I want to gain different perspectives, so I start to climb the stairs to one. They're a bit rusty and shaky, as the bolts holding them to the wall have loosened through the years, but it seems safe. I'm halfway up before I'm swept up and carried back down the stairs.
“What the,” my hair is in my face since I was slung over Reese or Asher's shoulder; “put me down.” I shout and start to kick.
The laughing under me lets me know it's Asher.
“Why did you do that?” Asking with full frustration in my voice, as he sets me back on my feet.
“That set of stairs aren't safe and I don't want you getting hurt.” He runs his long fingers through his dark lush hair that's no longer perfectly flipped to one side. Now it's a little bit everywhere sticking up in random places. I reach up to smooth it down and smile at him. His hair is like silk; but I find myself wanting grab on and pull, but I just step back giving myself some distance.
“Thanks,” I smile as I turn and chose another set of stairs.
Our flirting is fun, but I have to keep reminding myself that he is a football player; and I've already dated one of those and it didn't work out so well. I should try for an intellectual type or maybe just go back to being by myself. Any choice would be better than starting something with another jock. Why do I have to keep telling myself this?
Dragging myself out of this thought of who would be better to date I focus in on the suggested sets of steps and look over the space with its art plastered on the walls and even some of the windows. Once at the top I see a stained mattress with a pile of clothes, empty food bags, and beers on top. There's a rat crawling out of a chip bag making me want to scream, but it's just a rat on a mission for food with no interest in me. I turn seeing Lux is standing right next to me with a look on her face of pure disgust. I pat her on the shoulder and smile trying to reassure her that she's alright. She untwists her contorted face to a weak smile. I take her picture. We laugh without saying a word. Turning around I continue to capture the space and see the guys chase each other around as if they're practicing football moves.
“Sloane, how did you know about this place?” Lux asks me.
“I was at a side show once, just through the tube and came here after the cops were arresting everyone. I was on my long skateboard that time. So, I skated here. I may have been a little drunk thinking it was a good idea to hide out for a bit before heading home.” I shrugged.
There was a skate park less than a mile from here that over looked the city, so it just made sense to be by it. At the side show guys were firing guns up in the air that time. That night got sketchy quick.
Thinking back on that night a guy much like Asher who didn't have a beard came up to me and said to get out of there, but when he did he quickly ended up pushing me to the ground as he covered my body. That guy with the gun was close to us and the cops where there throwing tear gas. Once that happened the guy picked me up along with my board and started running, once we got to the tube he said, “book it home or if it gets hairy, go to the skate park and say you've been there,” and we parted ways. When I had gotten to the other side of the tube there were patrol cars, but they didn't see me, but I still panicked going straight to the skate park.
I laugh about it now since I turned down the wrong street and ended up here but that guy, he was so adamant on making sure I made it out of trouble. He was a bit smaller than Asher, but this was a few years ago, which would put
Asher in high school before getting fully dedicated to football. I look closer at Asher, if he didn't have the beard this would be much easier to tell.
“That's funny how a change of events can bring you places that you're meant to see and experience.” Lux says as she turns and looks out over the space.
I simply nod and continue taking pictures, I even took a few of Lux without my brother.
“Hey, are you girls all set to get out of here, I'm hungry.” Reese calls out.
There is no doubt I could spend a few more hours in here, but Lux and I make our way down the stairs to where Reese and Asher were standing.
Asher must see my disappointment; “We can go eat and come back later after we drop them off.”
It was sweet of him to say, but it would be too dark and sketchy once the sun sets and since I'm trying not to get myself in trouble anymore, I just kiss him on the cheek and say no thanks.
We all turn to leave, and Asher wraps his arm around my waist as Reese and Lux lead the way out. I lean into him as we walk while letting out a sigh. His hold around me tightens sending electricity shooting through my body.
I think for a moment Asher could be different from Dane. Asher is more mature, why wouldn't I want to pursue something with him. If I did I could stop annoying myself thinking about it.
Should I?
Shouldn't I?
Uuuugggghhhh I'm driving myself insane!
“So where do you want to go eat?” I ask to get myself out of my head.
“Let's order a pizza now and by the time we get back to our place it will be there.” Reese suggests.
Both Lux and Asher agree, so my vote wouldn't have mattered but who doesn't love pizza and beer.
It was a good adventure and I felt lucky all day that Asher, Lux and Reese were up to hanging out with me, when normally I'm usually alone when I go out to photograph anything.
Chapter 28
After that day with Reese, Lux, and Asher that was the last time we all hung out. That night we all drank beer, ate pizza, and watched a movie but then Asher had to go home to help his mom out, so I wasn't about to stick around with Reese and Lux while they made out.
Talk about awkward.
Asher was already in Cuba with his family, we text often now, almost every day. He's become my friend and I could not imagine not telling him about my day. I've been finding myself looking forward to talking with him, that it became the highlight of my vacation.
Lux had gone home to her family, but Reese had his many other friends to hang out with, so I haven't seen him except on Christmas Day when our dad came home to wish us well and to go to sleep.
I make our holiday dinner and when it came time to eat no one joins me. Reese was out, and my dad said he would eat later. When I had told Asher about it he didn't seem too pleased.
Next year I plan on going somewhere exotic to explore. Sitting there by myself was nothing more than overwhelming disappointment. I could have gone to Cuba with Asher and his family but no, I choose to stay here in the hopes of having Christmas with my family. Hell, I could be with Mona or Tala and their families, they all went somewhere this year too.
The one sweet thing was the Christmas gift Reese got me. He had signed me up for a weekend class to train to get my motorcycle license. We had talked one night, and I told him I wanted to get a Harley. Once he stopped laughing he realized how serious I was. Looks like he wants to make sure I knew what I was doing, and that I would be able to ride to the best of my abilities.
So, that's where I am now. It's the last day of training on the loaner bikes and the class was doing laps on this large track with cones set up. I already know how to ride thanks to Reese, so this class was a bit boring, but I did learn a thing or two.
I was being a bit obnoxious as I was passing other riders on the course treating it as if it was flat track racing. Everyone was getting pissed off except my instructor. I can see his shit eating grin from across the track. Once he started tossing out two by twos to jump I knew the fun was about to begin. I had jumped the boards twice while getting ready to do it again. I went for it again and I somehow hit it wrong while hitting the break causing me to fall off my bike. I slid for quite a bit. As I lay there for a moment I take inventory of my body and everything is intact well except my pants. My whole thigh is ripped from my ass cheek down to the back of my knee.
What the hell.
Taking off my gloves and helmet to get a better view, as the instructors pick up my bike; I see I have some road rash on the side of my ass. It's nothing too bad, I'm more embarrassed about my pants.
“Well luckily for you that was the last of the drills, and even though you crashed,” the instructor shakes his head; “you passed and can now take your written DMV.” He beams a ridiculous smile, one that I mirror back at him.
“Fuck yeahhhhhh.” I jump which I realize quickly that wasn't smart. “Well, thank you so much. I'm just going to take off then if there isn't anything else.” I cringe having to walk out of here with so much of my ass showing. I wonder if my pants got stuck somewhere on the bike. These are answers I'll never know so I turn and hold my head high making my way to my Olds.
By the time I made it home I see Asher's truck in our driveway. He had mentioned he was coming back early, but I didn't realize a week before school early.
After parking I quietly try to make it to my room before anyone saw my ass, I wasn't so lucky though.
Reese had a few people over watching some football highlights while drinking beers. All of them turned to me as I kicked a beer can that I didn't see sitting on the floor. It skids across the room as I cursed its existence. “Who puts their beer in the middle of the fucking room.” As I keep making my way to my room.
I feel Asher’s eyes hot on my ass.
Refusing to slow my roll I make it to my bedroom door.
“Sloane, what the fuck happened to your pants?”
He sounds mad, almost ready to brutalize whoever did this to me.
“Geez say that a little louder.” I hiss not wanting everyone back in the living room to come see what he's talking about. “Don't worry I had a little problem with a two by two and a motorcycle, no biggie.”
Opening my door, I walk into my room as Asher follows me in.
“You didn't mention this before?” He looks at me with a furrowed brow.
“It was a surprise from Reese. That and you said you were busy this weekend, so I didn't want to bother you”
Standing in front of my full-length mirror I see it does look worse than it feels. My blood-soaked pants aren't helping I'm sure.
Asher crosses the room and picks me up into a hug and plants his lips onto mine. I instantly melt onto his firm body, running my hand up his chest.
Asher pulls back to look at my lips.
“Hi.” I whisper sweetly.
“I came back early cause, I missed you and had enough time away. You're mine Sloane, I've had enough of the just being friends and giving you space. I want you as my girl.”
Shocked.
I know we've been talking during the whole break, but this was unexpected. I like it, but I thought he friend zoned me plus I didn't want to jump right into another relationship so quickly after Dane.
There's a connection that I wouldn't mind having more of. He's kissed me before causing me to always want more, but I needed to resist as my body isn't on the same page as my mind.
My heart begins to beat exceptionally fast as I stare into Asher’s darkening green eyes. I reach up to run my long slender fingers through his beard and I feel my resistance crumble.
“Okay.” I say so quietly.
Asher shows me no reaction. My hands are now in his hair pulling his head closer to mine
Just as our lips are barely touching Asher asks; “Okay, what Sloane?” His voice is raspy yet strained.
“As long as you don't hurt me by sleeping around I'll give us a try.” I duck my head feeling incredibly shy all of a sudden. “I'll be yours.”
“Look at me Sloane.”
My head snaps to attention of his firm tone. Asher bends down and claims my lips as his as they move against mine making my legs shake. At this moment I couldn't be more appreciative that he was holding me to him so firmly.
Our kiss makes me want to strip my body bare and have Asher explore every damn inch of me, but I'm not jumping into sex we need an official date first. I let him know of my thoughts and I'm rewarded with a smile so wide I swear his face could crack.
“Let’s go to a movie right now.”
His playfulness has me to laughing and smacking his chest.
“Ash seriously.” I say with a whine through my giggle.
“Alright I'll plan something special to prove to you that I want to be with you.” He wraps me back up in his arms. “I've been waiting for you and believe me, Sloane, I've never done that for any girl.” His smile reaches his eyes causing my face to flame red hot. “Now on a side note there's a party tonight at the football house off campus do you and your friends want to come? Your brother will be there.”
I roll my eyes.
“Saying Reese will be there is not making this enticing.” I laugh, “also my girls are still out of town with their families and won't be back until Sunday I think.” Damn how do I forget when they said they would be returning.
“Well now that we're officially girlfriend boyfriend I want to show you off and let everyone know you're mine.” He growls when he says the word mine, sending a shiver down my spine and a spreads smile across my lips.
“Do we have to let people know? Can't we just enjoy each other without the outside world trying to run interference.” See what I did there I put it in terms he would understand.
“Did you just use a football term to break down your feelings?”
I laugh at his playful tone and slip out of his arms, so I can run to my bathroom. How I make it in and am able to close and lock my door is dumbfounding. I'm convinced he let me escape.